A signed guitar that went missing for 11 years has raised £7,000 for the Rainbows hospice.

Music stars including Eric Clapton, Brian May and Jimmy Page had signed the guitar but all was thought to be lost when it went missing in transit in 2007 after being signed by Slowhand.

Parcelforce launched an investigation and eventually donated £17,000 to Rainbows in Loughborough as an apology, while guitar manufacturer Fender donated another instrument to get the ball rolling again.

Former music promoter Dave Allen, who was behind the whole thing, started getting new signatures on the second Fender, which was signed by stars including Sir Cliff Richard, Hank Marvin, and late Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore.

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But then, to everyone’s surprise, the original one turned up in January this year.

The guitar had been purchased as part of a house clearance following a death and the innocent new owner had bought it for just £35 before putting it up for auction online where it was recognised by someone familiar with Dave’s efforts.

The police got involved and the signed Telecaster guitar was returned to Dave, who has now put it up for auction.

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The guitar, which also had signatures belonging to Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler, Bill Wyman, Gary Moore, Alice Cooper and Pete Townshend, sold at Bonhams Auction House in London yesterday.

Dave, of Market Harborough, who watched the auction with baited breath, said: “It was very exciting and this has been a fantastic result.

“It has been a long, long journey and I feel very privileged to have raised this money for Rainbows.”

Slice of American Pie… singer/songwriter Don McLean also made his mark on the Fender, pictured with Dave Allen (left) and Andy Goss from Rainbows children’s hospice

Andrew Ball, director of supporter relations at Rainbows, thanked Dave and all the musicians who got involved in the project over the years.

He said: “The guitar has made one of the most remarkable musical comebacks and this is a wonderful story with a very happy ending.